Gov. Christie returning to Maine for big LePage fundraiser

Larry Downing | Reuters | BDN

Larry Downing | Reuters | BDN

New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie

John Clarke Russ | BDN | BDN

John Clarke Russ | BDN | BDN

Former U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe waves to her many supporters after delivering her speech at the Maine GOP Convention at the Augusta Civic Center in this May 2012 file photo. Behind her is her husband, former Maine Gov. John McKernan.

LEWISTON, Maine — Former U.S. Sen. Olympia Snowe and her husband former Gov. John McKernan are among a group hosting a fundraising event for Republican Gov. Paul LePage’s re-election campaign later in August.

The event featuring New Jersey’s Republican Gov. Chris Christie will be held at the Lucerne Inn in Dedham, just outside of Ellsworth.

The announcement is the first indication that Snowe and McKernan will again publicly back LePage in his bid to capture a second term in the Blaine House.

Since leaving the U.S. Senate in 2012, Snowe has campaigned nationally on supporting bipartisan compromise in Washington. Snowe also runs a political action committee that donates to candidates she considers bipartisan problem solvers.

Lucas Caron, a spokesman for Snowe and McKernan, said the couple were asked to lend their names to the event even though they were uncertain they would be in attendance.

“They were asked directly if they would have their names listed on that event, and they said, ‘yes’” Caron said, noting, “It doesn’t look like they will be able to attend.”

Caron said it was similar to a private event held last summer for LePage, with former Florida Gov. Jeb Bush, when LePage first made his re-election intentions known.

He also said Snowe and McKernan have made it known since last August they would support LePage’s re-election bid.

The LePage event was announced Friday on the LePage’s campaign website and includes a long list of well-known Maine Republicans, such as former ski industry magnate Les Otten and Kevin Raye, former state Senate president.

Also on the list of hosts are former partners in the Oxford Casino, Jim Boldebook and Suzanne and Rupert Grover.